Description
You may be receiving this error when trying to convert a .pof file into a .svf file using the Quartus® II programmer and your programming file is using the Sample and Sustain or real-time ISP option.
Resolution
To get around this error you will need to make sure your Programmer options have the "Enable real-time ISP to allow background programming (for MAX® II and MAX V devices)" checked. By default this is unchecked.
To get to the programmer options:
Select the Tools menu, select Options and then select Programmer.